Pronounced ask-ee, ASCII is an acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. Text files stored in ASCII format are sometimes called ASCII files. Text editors and word processors are usually capable of storing data in ASCII format.

Now that we have that out of the way . . .   When a court reporter asks an attorney if they want an ASCII disk, the reporter is simply offering a copy of the transcript in a plain text format that is compatible with nearly all computer programs that an attorney or his or her secretary/paralegal might be using.  Conversion to formats other than ASCII is also available, if necessary.

How an ASCII Disk Can Benefit You

Whether you are an attorney, a secretary, or a paralegal, a computerized copy of deposition transcripts can be an invaluable tool.  Searching for a word or phrase by computer versus mulling over a transcript with the naked eye can save you time, money, and frustration.  The efficiency of being able to cross-search multiple transcripts in a large case or copy and paste whole paragraphs into a separate file of notes for later use is, of course, beyond compare to traditional handwritten methods.  The functions you are accustomed to using with your computer program(s) with regard to other areas of your work can also be utilized in working with a copy of the transcript in ASCII format.  So don't be afraid to give it a try!

As a courtesy, Michelle provides a complimentary ASCII disk with every transcript copy when ordered.

The Lighter Side of Life Recipe of the Month Pretzel Salad

1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels 
1/2 cup margarine
8 ounces cream cheese 
2 to 3 cups Cool Whip 
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 6-ounce package strawberry JELL-O
2 8-ounce packages frozen sweetened strawberries

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Crush pretzels to make 1 1/2 cups.  Melt one stick (1/2 cup) of margarine.  Mix together and spread in 9X13 baking pan.  Bake 10 minutes.  Cool.

Blend Cool Whip, cream cheese, and sugar.  Spread over baked pretzels.

Dissolve JELL-O in 1 1/2 cups boiling water.  Add thawed strawberries.  When congealed, pour over cream cheese mixture and refrigerate.

Best if allowed to refrigerate overnight. __________________________________

	Michelle Kirkpatrick, CSR, RPR
	PO Box 5315, Sioux City, Iowa 51102
	(712) 277-8535  fax:  (712) 277-3720

__________________________________

Michelle Kirkpatrick has been a court reporter since 1986, is a Certified Shorthand Reporter for the state of Iowa, and is  also certified as a Registered Professional Reporter by the National Shorthand Reporters Association.

Michelle Kirkpatrick

Visit me at http://Michelle.Kirkpatrick.net   Michelle@Kirkpatrick.net